| | March 31, 2024, the Company’s commercial real estate (“CRE”) non-owner occupied and owner-occupied portfolios had a weighted average loan-to-values of 49.8% and 54.1%, respectively, and weighted average debt service coverage ratios of 2.1x and 3.3x, respectively. |
Chris Bergstrom, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “The United States economy is experiencing an unprecedented interest rate environment. The longest inverted yield curve in our nation’s history commands our attention. Now, more than ever, our strategy of focusing on local customers with product and service offerings without undue compliance risk paired with our strong, liquid, well-capitalized balance sheet, unfettered by problem assets keeps us well-positioned for the future. In an unchartered economic environment, we place a greater emphasis on our financial condition than growth. During the quarter, we experienced higher than anticipated runoff in our acquisition, development and construction loan portfolio. Our loan pipeline, with credits that meet our stringent criteria, is building for promising growth in the next three to six months. We improved both the amount and composition of our deposits during the quarter. In addition, we have ramped up our hiring of seasoned, well-qualified sales personnel and are equipping them with competitive products and services, like Escrow Optimizer, that will further fuel our future loan and deposit growth. Our non-interest income strategy is starting to bear fruit as we sell more SBA loans and complete interest rate swaps on behalf of customers. In short, the team at John Marshall Bank remains committed to maintaining a strong balance sheet and delivering prudent growth. We are excited to capitalize on opportunities afforded in our market by providing relevant products and services and an unmatched customer experience. As an expression of confidence in the Company’s balance sheet, the Board of Director’s declared an annual cash dividend of $0.25 per outstanding share of common stock or 13.6% greater than last year’s.”
Balance Sheet, Liquidity and Credit Quality
Total assets were $2.25 billion at March 31, 2024, $2.24 billion at December 31, 2023, and $2.35 billion at March 31, 2023.
Total loans, net of unearned income, increased $54.7 million or 3.1% to $1.82 billion at March 31, 2024, compared to $1.77 billion at March 31, 2023 and decreased $34.0 million or 1.8% when compared to December 31, 2023. Detail on the loan growth can be seen in the attached tables.
The carrying value of the Company’s fixed income securities portfolio was $253.4 million at March 31, 2024, $265.5 million at December 31, 2023 and $438.6 million at March 31, 2023. The decrease in carrying value of the Company’s fixed income securities portfolio since March 31, 2023 was primarily attributable to the July 2023 sale of certain available-for-sale investment securities, as previously disclosed. As of March 31, 2024, 95.9% of our bond portfolio carried the implied guarantee of the United States government or one of its agencies. At March 31, 2024, 61.0% of the fixed income portfolio was invested in amortizing bonds, which provides the Company with a source of steady cash flow. At March 31, 2024, the fixed income portfolio had an estimated weighted average life of 4.3 years. The available-for-sale portfolio comprised approximately 65.0% of the fixed income securities portfolio and had a weighted average life of 3.0 years at March 31, 2024. The held-to-maturity portfolio comprised approximately 35.0% of the fixed income securities portfolio and had a weighted average life of 6.5 years at March 31, 2024. The Company did not purchase or sell any fixed income securities during the three month period ended March 31, 2024.
The Company’s balance sheet remains highly liquid. The Company’s liquidity position, defined as the sum of cash, unencumbered securities and available secured borrowing capacity, totaled $788.7 million as of March 31, 2024 compared to $638.9 million as of December 31, 2023 and represented 35.0% and 28.5% of total assets, respectively. In addition to available secured borrowing capacity, the Bank had available federal funds lines of $110.0 million at March 31, 2024.
Total deposits were $1.90 billion at March 31, 2024, $1.91 billion at December 31, 2023 and $2.09 billion at March 31, 2023. Total deposits decreased $5.6 million or 0.3% when compared to December 31, 2023. The attached tables provide detail on the deposit activity. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had $627.1 million of deposits that were not insured or not collateralized by securities compared to $634.1 million at December 31, 2023. Deposits that were not insured or not collateralized by securities represented only 33.0% of total deposits at March 31, 2024 compared to 33.3% at December 31, 2023.
The Company refinanced its $54.0 million advance and advanced an additional $23.0 million from the Bank Term Funding Program (“BTFP”) in January 2024 to secure lower funding costs relative to wholesale deposits and the prior outstanding BTFP advance. The $77.0 million BTFP advance matures January 2025, bears interest at a fixed rate of